Storm clouds gathering at Anfield?

SPECULATION about growing discontent between Liverpool’s joint owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett and manager Rafael Benitez has intensified after a bizarre day on Merseyside.

In his weekly press conference to preview tomorrow’s lunchtime trip to Newcastle, Benitez was strangely reticent in his response to any questions not about their Barclays Premier League match. But he did, rather oddly, suggest he could one day take over as England manager.

A few hours later Hicks and Gillett issued a statement in which they highlighted the financial backing they had given the manager but also stressed they would be meeting Benitez next month before further transfer activity would be considered.